Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

• We are seeking a keen and enthusiastic Registered Nurse to join the dynamic Multiple Sclerosis (MS) team as a MS Clinical Nurse Specialist. The role is to deliver high quality specialist care and support to patients with MS.  This post is part of a collaborative service working project to improve patient outcomes and quality of care.
• To work as an autonomous, advanced practitioner and effectively deliver an expert nursing service within the specialist area
• Review patients diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS, on a low efficacy treatment not seen in over 12 months.
• To effectively manage a caseload of patients/clients
• To ensure that patients and their families are fully informed and supported by providing clinical and social support
• To assist in the development of evidence based clinical nursing practice in line with current research and guidelines.

• There have been great advances in the treatment of MS in the last few years with Disease Modifying Therapy as well as improvements in complex symptom management and palliative care.
• The successful candidate will have experience in neurology, preferably in Multiple Sclerosis and in case management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work autonomously as well as part of a multi-disciplinary team are essential.
• There will be excellent opportunities to help further your own professional development through internal and external courses.

Main duties of the job

• To assist in the delivery of a specialist nursing service for people with specialist needs
• To lead by example
• Be recognised as an expert in their field holding additional qualifications / specialist knowledge and expertise.
• To provide specialist nursing advice and support to patients, their families and other healthcare professionals following diagnosis and through all stages of treatment
• To ensure continuity of a high standard of evidence based nursing care, assessing health, health related and nursing needs of patients, their families and other carers by identifying and initiating appropriate steps for effective care. This can include:

• Clinical Practice
• Managing a patient caseload
• Ordering diagnostic tests within agreed parameters
• Making and receiving referrals
• Admitting and discharging patients for specified conditions within agreed protocols
• Run nurse led clinics at St Georges Hospital and St Helier Hospital

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To address and work on the objectives of the collaborative working project.
• To develop assessment tools that will ensure an appropriate level of nursing intervention so that patients who present with the most complex needs are referred to the appropriate specialist including patients and families who require more in-depth support and counselling

• To maintain a suitable mechanism for MDT referrals to the Clinical Nurse Specialists
• To work with the MDT to develop, implement and evaluate integrated care pathways and systems of MDT documentation
• To liaise with local community, social services, paramedics and voluntary organisations in order to develop existing services for clients, carers and health professional
• To actively involve service users in providing feedback of their experience of the current service and suggestions for improvements
• To participate in the development of appropriate patient group directives to facilitate/enhance the discharge process
• To participate in relevant forums at Care Group, Trust or Community level to allow contribution to on-going service development
• To work in line with and contribute to local delivery of national care standards